Longhorns may see Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia again in 2025 after QB beats NCAA in federal court
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia danced all over opponents this season, including Texas at times, and now he’s scored a touchdown on the NCAA in federal court. Pavia sued the NCAA for another year of eligibility arguing his two years at New Mexico Military Academy should not count toward his NCAA four-year maximum eligibility since he […]
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia danced all over opponents this season, including Texas at times, and now he’s scored a touchdown on the NCAA in federal court.
Pavia sued the NCAA for another year of eligibility arguing his two years at New Mexico Military Academy should not count toward his NCAA four-year maximum eligibility since he was ineligible for NIL compensation.
The NCAA can still challenge the ruling, so Pavia hasn’t fully cleared the defense yet. It’s unclear what the NCAA will do as the association is under assault for far more financially important lawsuits. This one would impact junior college players going forward, though.
A huge part of Pavia’s calculus was NIL money. In court documents, Pavia said he stood to earn at least $1 million in name, image and license compensation just as SEC schools start revenue sharing with athletes.
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U.S. District Judge William Campbell was not persuaded by the NCAA’s arguments that allowing Pavia to play another year would ruin FBS football.
“The NCAA eligibility rules allow other forms of post-secondary education and athletic competition without it 'counting' against eligibility,” Campbell wrote in his decision. “And there are a number of reasons eligible student-athletes may be older and stronger than those on the traditional trajectory — military service, religious obligations, professional careers in other sports, or even independent athletic or academic work.”
Vanderbilt will keep its fingers crossed they get their star quarterback back in 2025. Pavia was an SEC sensation, throwing for 2,133 yards and 17 touchdowns while also running for 716 yards and scoring six times on the ground.
Pavia was 16-for-26 for 143 yards against Texas in October. He also ran for 67 yards and a touchdown and kept the Commodores in it late. Texas ultimately prevailed 27-24.
Pavia’s biggest trick during the regular season was orchestrating wins over Alabama and Auburn, the latter prompting Vandy fans to tear down the goal posts and throw them in the Cumberland River.
“He’s the definition of grit,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said leading up to the Vanderbilt game. “He finds a way to make plays whether it’s with his leg or his arm, he runs tough, he runs hard, he makes the throws when he needs to make them.”
And for now, he’s still making plays for Vanderbilt.
